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theguardian.com
FTSE 100 share index hits four-month high as European markets rally – business live
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsToday’s stock market across Europe comes a day after America’s Dow Jones Industrial Average hit record highs.Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at investing and trading platform IG, explains how the ‘market rotation’ out of chip stocks is moving the markets:“June was a spectacular month for the old-economy index that is the Dow Jones, which saw it rally sharply even as the surge in the Nasdaq hit a wall.The index has clocked up new record highs on both days of July trading, and active futures have pushed higher this morning. This is the kind of healthy action investors want to see, as different leadership emerges, while the weaker payroll report has restarted the ‘bad news is good news’ routine, since it helps to push back the dreaded idea of Fed rate hikes. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Burnham says there is some room for movement on tax
But the likely next PM says he will stick to Labour's pledges to not raise VAT, income tax or national insurance.
theguardian.com
Gymshark founder in talks to buy back part of stake sold to private equity firm
Ben Francis, who started business in parents’ garage, sold 21% stake in deal that created £1.25bn sportswear brandBusiness live – latest updatesThe founder of Gymshark is in talks to buy back a portion of the stake he sold to private equity in a deal that created a billion-pound sportswear empire, as the 34-year-old looks to increase his control of the exercise clothing brand.Ben Francis, who started the business sewing his own gym clothes in his parents’ garage in 2012, sold a 21% stake to the US private equity firm General Atlantic in 2020. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Security staff to go on strike at Aberdeen Airport
The strikes, involving baggage screening staff, are set to begin on Monday with the Unite union warning of "significant delays".
cnbc.com
Safe havens aren't behaving like they used to. Here's what's changed
Traditional safe-haven assets — U.S. Treasurys, the Japanese yen and gold — have struggled to provide protection during this year’s market volatility.
theguardian.com
Homes in England with kitchens that open on to the garden – in pictures
From a home with a patio in Cheshire’s ‘Golden Triangle’ to a Lincolnshire barn that opens out to create one al fresco space Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Burnham’s funding gap: what state are UK finances in for the PM-in-waiting?
Given pressures on the public purse, the Makerfield MP may have to look at autumn tax rises to fund his ‘new direction’An economy rattled by a global energy shock, jittery bond markets and rising spending demands. As Andy Burnham prepares for government, the pressures on the public finances are in focus.The prospective prime minister pledged a new direction for Britain this week within two constraints: sticking to Labour’s current fiscal rules, and consistency with its 2024 manifesto. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Livery bookings rise as horse owners struggle with costs
The livery provides an affordable service for owners to be able to have their horses cared for.
bbc.co.uk
Goat and skin in millions of 'lamb' kebabs compared to horsemeat lasagne scandal
Millions are likely to have eaten "lamb" kebabs that were actually made with goat, skin and fat.
theguardian.com
Spyware used against MEP investigating Pegasus abuses, report finds
Researchers say Stelios Kouloglou’s device was compromised after he joined European parliamentary committeeNSO Group’s hacking software was repeatedly used against a member of the European parliament while he was conducting an investigation of spyware abuses in Europe, according to a new report.Researchers at the Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto said they could not attribute the attacks against Stelios Kouloglou to any particular government operator of Pegasus spyware. But their investigation found the attack against the Greek now-former MEP bore the hallmarks of a previous hacking campaign against exiled Russian and Belarusian journalists in Europe. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Kuaishou shares jump after Tencent joins $2.8 billion raise for Kling AI subsidiary
Kuaishou shares rose as much as 6.89% at Friday's Hong Kong market open before paring gains to trade around 0.75% higher.
cnbc.com
Rafael Nadal talks tennis prize money, his hotels, and what sports taught him about business
Rafael Nadal opened his fourth Zel hotel as he expands into hospitality, education and sports after retiring from tennis.
bbc.co.uk
Instagram running ads promoting child sexual abuse material in India, BBC finds
The ads use terms including “rape” and “child video” and link to content on the messaging app Telegram.
cnbc.com
Venezuela quake toll climbs to 2,595 as damage estimates mount after strongest tremor in a century
Death toll from twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela jumped to 2,595, as rescue operations continued after the country's strongest tremors in over a century.
cnbc.com
OpenAI proposes 5% stake to Trump administration to ease Washington pressure: Report
Trump said in June that the U.S. taking an ownership stake in AI giants would be "a beautiful thing" and make American public "partners in this revolution."
theguardian.com
3,000% bonuses but a growing wealth divide: South Korea grapples with its AI chip boom
Powered by chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, South Korea is seeing a surge in wealth, but there are questions over who gets to share in the profitsWhen South Korea’s most high-profile divorce case returned to court last month, the lawyers were arguing not just about the breakdown of a relationship, but also the exact date at which to value shares in one specific company.The judges’ decision in Seoul could change the value of business tycoon Chey Tae-won’s assets by billions of dollars. The shares were in the holding company behind SK Hynix, the manufacturer of chips powering AI systems around the world. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Nvidia offers start-up customers chance to swap compute power for revenue share
Nvidia says it will give start-ups the chance to swap access to compute power for a slice of future profits under a new program aimed at AI-focused firms.
bbc.co.uk
AI is 'not smart' so what's next in artificial intelligence?
Leading AI researcher Yan LeCun has a start-up which is developing a more flexible AI system.
bbc.co.uk
'We give up to £400': How much should you gift at a wedding?
Wedding lists are being replaced by cash requests, but guests are divided over how much to give.
cnbc.com
Jack Smith says he's 'very concerned what's going to happen next election' under Trump
Smith said that he could be indicted by the Department of Justice given Trump's animus toward him for prosecuting the president in two criminal cases.
cnbc.com
Trump bought Apple, Nvidia and other tech giants before tariff reversal fueled rebound
The day before President Donald Trump walked back his tariff policy turned out to be one of his busiest days of 2025 for stock buying.
bbc.co.uk
Pubs allowed to stay open until 5am for England Mexico match
The government had initially said it would not relax licensing laws further for the World Cup.
cnbc.com
Saudi Arabia has ramped up oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz since U.S.-Iran deal
Saudi Arabia is restarting its export logistics in the Persian Gulf after a three-month pause, according to Kpler.
cnbc.com
Tesla stock sinks 7% despite strong deliveries report, posting worst day in nearly a year
Tesla is trying to recover from consecutive annual declines in vehicle sales that were partly caused by a consumer backlash against CEO Elon Musk.
cnbc.com
Olympian David Hearn indicted in Reflecting Pool destruction of property case
President Donald Trump has made the renovation of the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall a top priority in his second year back in the White House.
theguardian.com
Conflicts of interest? Trump only has one interest: himself | Robert Reich
The president made $2.2bn last year, with plenty of help from his own political decisions. This is called corruption, folksPeople in the US: share your views on Trump’s earnings in his second termIn financial disclosures released on Tuesday, Trump reported earning more than $1bn last year from his several cryptocurrency ventures.All told – including other parts of his vast holdings, such as his real estate assets – Trump made at least $2.2bn last year, as opposed to the roughly $622m his businesses raked in in 2024, before he returned to the presidency. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Job seekers giving up: Labor force participation rate falls to lowest in 50 years, outside of Covid era
A drop in the unemployment rate helped provide some upside to what was an otherwise downbeat jobs report — but it was for all the wrong reasons.
bbc.co.uk
Can our fridges cope with heatwaves?
An expert says many can not handle the high temperatures we have been experiencing.
bbc.co.uk
Old British fridges 'cannot cope with the heat'
Experts say older fridges are failing in hot weather as rising temperatures put them under pressure.
cnbc.com
Premier Lacrosse League plans to bring in team owners by 2028 'or soon thereafter,' co-founder says
Paul Rabil told CNBC he's banking on the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Games, where lacrosse will return as an Olympic sport, to shine a spotlight on the PLL.
bbc.co.uk
Ryanair warns of 'queue chaos' from new EU border system
The airline calls on European governments to postpone the EES system until after the summer holiday period.
cnbc.com
U.S. job creation cools in June with payrolls growth of just 57,000; unemployment rate at 4.2%
Nonfarm payrolls were expected to rise by 115,000 in June and the unemployment rate to hold steady at 4.3%.
theguardian.com
Nigel Farage reported to standards watchdog over ‘crypto lobbying’
Commissioner asked to investigate Reform UK leader after private meeting with Bank of England governorThe standards watchdog has been urged to investigate whether Nigel Farage lobbied the Bank of England to drop a cryptocurrency plan that could be costly for the billionaire bankrolling his party, potentially in breach of parliamentary rules.The Reform UK leader has said his party’s major donor, Christopher Harborne, wanted nothing in exchange for the £15m he donated to the party and the undeclared £5m gift to Farage the Guardian revealed in April. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Tesla sales surpass expectations for second quarter as Musk backlash seems to cool
Strong figures suggest Tesla’s auto business is regaining momentum after two straight annual sales declinesTesla blew past Wall Street estimates for second-quarter deliveries on Thursday, posting a record for the period as recovering demand in Europe outweighed persistent weakness in North America.The strong figures suggest Tesla’s mainstay auto business is regaining momentum after two straight annual sales declines, providing the spending cushion needed to power its ambitions in autonomous driving and artificial intelligence – the main drivers of the company’s roughly $1.6tn valuation. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Russia launches massive strike on Ukraine as Poland scrambles jets, Finland restricts airspace
The Russian Defense Ministry said that it launched a "massive strike using long-range precision air, land, and sea-based weapons and attack drones."
cnbc.com
Brookfield wants to build AI data centers in London’s answer to Wall Street
Brookfield's CEO said the firm is bringing data centers to London's Canary Wharf, as demand for AI infrastructure in the U.K. soars.
bbc.co.uk
How to bag a bargain flight
Finance expert Laura Pomfret shares her top tips for finding cheaper flights, from spotting rare error fares to knowing the best time to book. Plus, why airline bundles aren't always the bargain they seem.
theguardian.com
FCA ordered to partly suspend car finance compensation scheme
Court orders financial watchdog to halt parts of £9.1bn scheme until challenges are heard, delaying payoutsBusiness live – latest updatesThe UK’s financial watchdog has been forced to partly suspend its £9.1bn car finance compensation scheme, delaying payouts for millions of motorists.The Financial Conduct Authority had expected the scheme would start paying out £830 on average this year to those affected by the motor finance scandal, in which drivers were overcharged for loans as a result of commission payments between lenders and car dealers between 2007 and 2024. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Why the expected fight over the North American trade deal never kicked off
The US has confirmed it will not extend the agreement for another 16 years, but stopped short of more dramatic action.
bbc.co.uk
World Cup boom falters as US hospitality jobs fall in June
There had been early signs of a jobs boom from the tournament, but hospitality jobs declined in June.
theguardian.com
US employers added just 57,000 new jobs in June, lower than expected
The country’s unemployment rate dropped slightly to 4.2% as US job growth also slowed for the monthSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailUS job growth slowed in June as employers added 57,000 new jobs – just about half of what economists had predicted – and the Bureau of Labor Statistics revised its figures from the past two months down by a total of 74,000.The country’s unemployment rate dropped slightly to 4.2%, but the number of unemployed people changed little, according to the latest data, as 720,000 people left the labor force. The bureau revised the unexpectedly high May figures from 172,000 new jobs to 129,000, and revised the April figures from 179,000 to 148,000. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Russia’s neighbor to scrap ban on nuclear weapons, says ‘situation is getting worse’
The decision comes shortly after lawmakers in Finland voted to lift its longstanding ban on nuclear weapons.
theguardian.com
Ministers call for better tracking of teenagers at risk of dropping out of work or training in England
Councils and schools urged to do more as figures show there is no information on whereabouts of 32,100 ‘Neets’Business live – latest updatesThe government has urged councils and schools in England to drastically improve the way they identify young people at risk of dropping out of training and work, as it admitted thousands are unaccounted for.Publishing official figures on Thursday, the government said councils had no information on the whereabouts of 32,100 young people aged 16 to 17 who were not in education, employment or training (Neet). Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Microsoft commits $2.5 billion and 6,000 employees to new AI implementation unit
Microsoft is the latest tech company to form a business focused on helping customers understand and implement artificial intelligence.
bbc.co.uk
Car finance compensation payments delayed until next year
Millions could be entitled to compensation as a result of commission arrangements between lenders and dealers.
cnbc.com
Meta’s push into cloud computing means Wall Street has to prepare for lower margins
Meta appears poised to enter the cloud computing market in an effort to monetize its massive AI infrastructure.
theguardian.com
Ryanair warns of summer ‘queue chaos’ at EU airports over fingerprint checks
European Commission invites air industry to urgent meeting to discuss concerns over new entry and exit systemBusiness live – latest updatesRyanair has warned of “queue chaos” this summer at EU airports because of new fingerprint checks, as the European Commission invited the air industry to an urgent meeting next Tuesday to discuss concerns over the new entry and exit system.The airline, Europe’s largest, said passengers going on well-deserved breaks this summer should not be used as “guinea pigs” for a “half-baked” system. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Google loses fight over record $4.7 billion EU antitrust fine
In 2018, the European Commission slapped Google with the record-breaking penalty on the grounds that it abused Android's mobile dominance.
theguardian.com
All the whey up! How a dairy byproduct became the star of the ‘proteinmaxxing’ boom
As GLP-1s drive the current protein craze, a supplement once only taken by powerlifters is now so popular US producers are struggling to keep upFor generations, the Meives family made cheese. Tony Meives’s grandfather, a Swiss immigrant, and his father both ran small cheese factories in Wisconsin, in the heart of America’s dairyland. “I worked in the cheese factory my whole life,” Meives says. “I have four world-class cheesemakers in my family.” But when it came time to inherit the family business, Meives found there was more money in the industrial runoff that his grandfather would have once thrown away. Today, the 39-year-old bodybuilder and gym owner runs a company that sells whey protein powder, the watery byproduct of cheesemaking that was once considered waste. “Twenty years ago, the only people who took whey were bodybuilders,” he says. “Over the past five years, the market has really opened up to each and every type of person you can probably think of.”When Robert F Kennedy Jr, the US health secretary, declared late last month, that “the war on protein is over”, he sounded a bit like one of those Japanese soldiers of second world war lore, who spent years hunkering in the jungles of south-east Asia, oblivious to the fact that hostilities had long ceased. Perhaps there was a time when advice leaned more towards a diet based around fruit, vegetables and carbohydrates – but by May 2026, the war on protein was surely over. Protein had won. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
AI agents will soon be able to match human traders, Robinhood CEO tells CNBC
Vlad Tenev spoke about the potential of AI agents in trading in an interview with CNBC.
theguardian.com
Fans in short supply as next UK heatwave approaches, says Currys
Retailer says sharp rise in fan sales over the latest heatwave weekend left stores scrambling to source stockBusiness live – latest updatesThe boss of Currys has said supplies of air conditioning and fans are “tight” ahead of another UK heatwave, expected next week, after a boom in sales sent retailers scrambling to source new stock.Alex Baldock, chief executive of the electrical goods retailer, said cooling kit had been “flying off the shelves” during June’s record heat in England. Sales of fans were up nearly 3,000% over the most recent heatwave weekend compared with a week earlier, while air conditioning sales increased 330%. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Tank maker KNDS postpones IPO amid market struggles for defense
Shareholders of the Amsterdam-based company have decided the process to IPO will proceed "upon the return of more favorable market conditions," KNDS said.
bbc.co.uk
Why Gen Z are taking mini-retirements
Many young people are choosing to spend money they would otherwise put into a pension, on trips now.
bbc.co.uk
Google must pay €4.1bn fine for using Android to 'block' rivals
A Google spokesperson said the judgement "fails to recognise" the firm's "significant investment to ensure Android remains open."
theguardian.com
Billionaire to invest £35bn in small modular nuclear reactors rollout across UK
Consortium led by Michał Sołowow planning enough SMRs to power equivalent of 8m homes for more than 60 yearsA consortium led by the billionaire industrialist Michał Sołowow has announced plans to build 14 small modular nuclear reactors on three sites across the UK, including the location of a former nuclear plant in Gloucestershire.The Polish entrepreneur and rally driver plans to use £35bn of private capital to roll out enough small modular reactors (SMRs) to power the equivalent of 8m UK homes for more than 60 years, or even power datacentre investments alongside Google. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Bankers and unions set for clash over possible Burnham tax raid on UK banks
City bosses say move would be economically disastrous, but union leaders urge likely new PM to ignore ‘vested interests’Battle lines are being drawn between City bosses and trade unions over a possible tax raid on UK banks to help fund Andy Burnham’s package for struggling households this winter.While bankers have warned the move would be “economic suicide”, union leaders have said Britain cannot afford to be “held hostage” by City lobbyists, given growing pressures to find money for defence and cost of living support. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
M&A is ‘on fire’ as large-cap firms simplify, Citi UK CEO says
Citi U.K. CEO Tiina Lee said U.K. M&A is “on fire” as companies simplify and overseas buyers target British assets.
theguardian.com
OpenAI ‘in early talks to give 5% stake to US government’
CEO Sam Altman argued move would share benefits of AI and it would involve other firms doing similar, report saysBusiness live – latest updatesOpenAI is reportedly in early stage talks to give a 5% stake in the ChatGPT developer to the US government as artificial intelligence companies attempt to smooth relations with Donald Trump’s administration.The OpenAI chief executive, Sam Altman, has argued that giving the US public a financial stake in the company is the best way to share the benefits of AI, according to the Financial Times, which cited two unnamed people familiar with the discussions. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix shares tumble over 9% as chip rout spreads from Wall Street
Shares of Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix plummeted more than 7% in early Thursday trading.
cnbc.com
Apple plans five new iPhones through 2027, eyes Chinese-made chips amid foldable push, reports say
Apple is planning five new iPhones by 2027 and is considering Chinese memory suppliers as it expands foldable production, reports say.
theguardian.com
Why is Nigel Farage being paid so much to promote a gold bullion company?
Reform UK leader was paid £270,000 for 12 hours’ work – but who is behind Direct Bullion and what does it do?Tell us: have you invested in gold through a specialist bullion company?Despite the demands of being the MP for Clacton and leader of Reform UK, Nigel Farage has found time to develop several alternative income streams since being elected to parliament.His side hustles include being a social media influencer, presenting on GB News, and a stint recording on-demand videos for the Cameo platform – during which he appeared to endorse a neo-Nazi event, called for the release of the jailed rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs, and was duped into voicing a pro-IRA slogan. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Meta says WhatsApp usernames are safeguarded against scams after India flags cybersecurity risks
Meta has defended its WhatsApp username feature after the Indian government raised cybersecurity concerns.
bbc.co.uk
Singapore seizes $42m mansion over Nvidia chip smuggling
The luxury home was seized as part of a probe into the illegal trade of servers containing AI semiconductors.
bbc.co.uk
I needed to use a food bank after graduating - now I want to end the stigma
Steven, who now runs his own therapy business, struggled to make ends meet after graduating.
cnbc.com
Volkswagen braces for boardroom showdown over historic cost-cutting plan
Volkswagen is poised for a boardroom showdown following reports that the auto giant is weighing up shutting four factories and implementing 100,000 job cuts.
cnbc.com
Amazon is designing its own AI chips for Echo, Fire TV and future devices, exec tells CNBC
Amazon hardware chief Panos Panay says the company is designing custom chips for key devices as it experiments with AI gadgets.
theguardian.com
Starmer’s goodbye gift to Britain: a US pharma deal that could be more lethal than Covid | Aditya Chakrabortty
This shadowy treaty on medicine imports will cost the NHS billions and take funding away from doctors, nurses, cancer scans and the restFor all the crowd noise and heavy-breathing match analysis, British democracy is a simple sport. We elect politicians to serve our interests. They direct the vital services that look after our families and communities, such as our healthcare and our schools. The entire political system rests on one basic premise: they work for us.Believe that, as I do, and this week is one of vast democratic failure. Rather than working for us, Keir Starmer and his ministers are acting against us. They have rammed through parliament a sweeping law that will, independent experts agree, harm the public; and they have done so without even coming clean on the costs or the consequences. What’s worse, MPs and the press have failed to put this under scrutiny.Aditya Chakrabortty is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
'I spent $6,000 on a World Cup trip but was left stranded at the gate'
Hundreds of fans who bought World Cup tickets on resale site StubHub say they have had them cancelled at the last minute.
cnbc.com
Shares of BYD and Xiaomi surge as June delivery figures fuel optimism
Hong Kong-listed shares of Chinese electric vehicle makers surged, after companies posted June vehicle data that helped to buoy investor sentiment.
theguardian.com
I visited seven themed bars in one week. Can ball pits and bingo save British nightlife?
While most hospitality venues are struggling, there has been an enormous rise in ‘competitive socialising’. But why? And could I find the answer while dressed in a prison jumpsuit and drinking a daiquiri?British hospitality is in crisis. In the first quarter of 2026, three hospitality sites closed every day, while one in five remaining businesses fear collapse over the next year owing to rises in tax and employment costs. For those venues struggling to make ends meet in London in particular, there is the added worry of increasingly stringent licensing rules and influential lobby groups making once-thriving areas such as Soho a ghost town after 11pm.And yet one hospitality niche seems to be bucking the trend: themed bars. Blending booze with, say, axe-throwing, darts, immersive theatre or adult-sized ball pits, these experiential venues have seen a boom in recent years. A report from Savills estate agents found a 58% increase in “competitive socialising” venue openings in 2025 compared with 2018, while another survey found one in three adults had visited one of these venues in the UK in 2024-25. Photo-friendly interiors have made many of them a hit on social media, too. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Don't expect connected car apps to save your stolen car, experts say
Kia told the BBC UK law prevented its location tracking function being used to live track vehicles.
bbc.co.uk
Diesel sees biggest monthly fall in 26 years. What's happening to fuel prices?
When the US-Israel war with Iran began, fuel costs jumped, but they are now plummeting as hope of lasting peace grows.
bbc.co.uk
Halifax brand to be scrapped after 173 years
Lloyds says it remains committed to the town of Halifax and very little will change for customers.
bbc.co.uk
US blocks long-term renewal of North American trade deal
US blocks 16-year North America trade deal renewal, triggering annual rolling reviews
bbc.co.uk
Bibles, Home Alone and perfume: Six takeaways from Trump's 2025 finances
Official documents show the US president made billions of dollars as he returned to the White House.
bbc.co.uk
Trump made more than $1bn from crypto in first year back in office
The president's crypto income far outpaces his earnings from real estate and Trump-themed items such as watches.
bbc.co.uk
Brewery boss who banned phones and swearing from pubs dies aged 81
Humphrey Smith had been at the helm of the Tadcaster brewer since the 1980s.
bbc.co.uk
Trump's $1.4bn crypto earnings revealed
US President Donald Trump made more than $1.4 bn (£750m) last year from business dealings in cryptocurrency, according to his mandatory financial report for 2025.
bbc.co.uk
Up to 150 ex-WHSmith High Street stores to close as rescue deal approved
The sweeping restructuring, approved by a court, will see steep rent cuts on most remaining stores.
bbc.co.uk
Refunds: Hidden Tricks
Struggling to get a refund? Consumer journalist Rebecca Wilcox shares some tips.
theguardian.com
Andy Burnham is about to have a crash course in hardcore geopolitics | Rafael Behr
The likely next prime minister would rather be in Warrington than Washington, but foreign policy will dominate his agenda more than he thinksIf Andy Burnham is lucky, he will get some time to adjust to the pace of life as prime minister before dealing with his first international crisis. It won’t be long.Donald Trump is an engine of constant turmoil. Aftershocks from his recent military adventure in the Middle East will be felt for years. None of the declared war aims were achieved. The Iranian regime was not toppled. The terms agreed for a ceasefire promise Tehran more generous sanctions relief with fewer conditions than were imposed under the nuclear containment deal that Barack Obama signed in 2015. It is a worse arrangement than the one Trump discarded in his first term as “one of the worst deals ever”. Stocks of US munitions and credibility have been drained.Rafael Behr is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Why is crucial tech vulnerable to the heat?
Energy grids and train services are among the vital services that are vulnerable to very hot weather.
theguardian.com
ScottishPower owes me £1,000 in solar panel payments
For months I’ve been trying to receive my FIT payment, which should be more than £1,000I moved into my new house 14 months ago, and soon afterwards applied to ScottishPower, with whom the solar panels are registered for a feed-in tariff (Fit), for transfer of ownership of the panels and the tariff.After many emails back and forth, I got a response saying they had all the information required. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Japan spent $74 billion propping up the yen. Investors say the real battle is with the Fed
Yen intervention alone is unlikely to reverse losses while wide U.S.-Japan rate differentials keep supporting the dollar, said analysts.
theguardian.com
‘Complicated and expensive’: Burnham is right about the risks of nationalisation | Nils Pratley
Track record of Welsh Water shows changing ownership status is not the answer to all the woes in the utilities sectorGood news for Andy Burnham: one of the original 10 water privatisations from the Thatcher-era has already converted to a non-shareholder model. Thanks to a complicated turn-of-the-century corporate saga, Welsh Water, serving 3 million people, transferred to not-for-profit status in 2001. Financial surpluses go “straight back into keeping bills down and looking after your water and beautiful environment”, as the website blurb puts it.How’s it going? After a quarter of a century without dividend-hungry shareholders to feed, has the model proved its superiority? Not exactly. Welsh Water usually has high scores on customer trust metrics but its performance on bills and spills tends to be middle of the pack. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Energy price cap rise ‘will push millions in Great Britain into fuel poverty’
Typical bill will surge by £220 a year from Wednesday, forcing 13.5m homes to spend over 10% of income on fuelMillions of households in Great Britain will be pushed into fuel poverty after months of volatility on the global gas markets as energy bills rise by more than £220 a year under the government’s price cap from Wednesday.As the cap on gas and electricity rates rises to the equivalent of £1,862 a year, the number of households forced to spend more than 10% of their income on energy bills will increase to 13.5m from almost 11.3m in April, according to fuel poverty campaigners. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Anthropic says US lifts export ban on its advanced AI tools
Fable and Mythos were abruptly suspended in June over concerns that they could be used by hackers.
theguardian.com
‘Fine for others to pay more’: can Japan attract more overseas tourists while charging them extra?
Japan has ambitious targets to increase overseas visitor numbers, but there are growing concerns about overtourism. One possible answer is two-tier pricingPerched dramatically on a hilltop in western Japan, Himeji castle’s striking white-plastered, tiered roofs earned it the moniker “white heron castle”. The sweeping 17th-century complex is regarded as the finest existing samurai fortress, and attracts more than one and a half million visitors a year.But as Japan seeks to manage greater numbers of foreign tourists, Himeji is one of the attractions raising admission prices for non-residents. The World Heritage site increased its admission fee to 2,500 yen ($15.50) on 1 March, but left the price for those who live in Himeji city at 1,000 yen ($6.20). Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The Burnham blueprint, as told by one of its architects – podcast
Andy Burnham has set out his economic plans for Britain. Neal Lawson, from the Burnham-aligned group Mainstream, explains the thinking behind itHelen Pidd has been one of Andy Burnham’s constituents for almost a decade now. She says she has seen Greater Manchester thrive on his watch. Now he wants to do for the rest of the country what he has done for her region. On Monday Burnham stood up in the People’s History Museum in Manchester and delivered his economic manifesto. Barring some 11th hour challenge or unforeseen calamity, he will have moved into No 10 by the end of July. But he says he wants to build another No 10. A Manchester one. What he is promising is radical, but just how credible is “rewiring” Britain?Neal Lawson is the founder of pressure group Compass, and more recently the Burnham-aligned Mainstream. He explains to Helen why Burnham is so keen to devolve power and what he wants to nationalise. But, he says, “I think what Burnham has done is kind of, by a sort of minor miracle, reach base camp. And now there’s the mountain to climb.” Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Australia sues Amazon for making allegedly unfair contracts with subscribers
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) says Amazon has broken consumer protection law
bbc.co.uk
Why Gen Z are planning for life without a state pension
Many younger people do not believe the state pension will exist when they are older
bbc.co.uk
Plea for households to read energy meter as prices rise
Household energy prices have risen by 13% a year as regulator Ofgem's latest price cap kicks in.
theguardian.com
Britain has finally grasped the nettle on defence, but tough choices lie ahead
The new PM must balance the security budget and other urgent spending priorities, with little room for manoeuvreBurnham left with £4.7bn bill for Starmer’s new defence investment planKeir Starmer’s defence investment plan leaves behind spending problems that his successor will not be able to avoid.Military budgets will be well short of the UK’s Nato commitments by the end of the decade, and European allies and a combustible White House are likely to notice. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Hospitality VAT cut: can it help the sector and at what cost to UK taxpayer?
Drop to 10% for pubs and eateries would be in line with most of Europe, but critics say it favours multinationalsBusiness live – latest updatesNearly a quarter of hospitality businesses are losing money, new data has shown, reigniting calls among chefs, pub owners and restaurateurs for their sector to be handed a reduced rate of VAT.It may seem like a no-brainer because the measure would ease pressure on the ailing sector and put the UK in line with most European countries. But critics say the measure would be extremely costly and reward big multinational businesses, without necessarily helping to spur growth. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
I’m paying £450 a month for a Peugeot EV I can’t drive
The car lease company won’t rescind my contract because it says the vehicle is driveable. The only problem is, it won’t even chargeMy brand new Peugeot EV stopped working within a fortnight of delivery.The dealer postponed the repair appointment by a month because it was too busy. Peugeot Assist, operated by the RAC, eventually collected it for repair under warranty two weeks ago, but it never reached the dealer. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Commanding heights of the economy’: the postwar blueprint that inspires Burnham
In the second of a series on nationalisation, we look at the lessons from Clement Attlee’s administrationWill Andy Burnham ‘go big’ in expanding the role of the state?A prime minister with ambitious plans for state ownership. Private companies that put profits before investment. A country struggling with onerous debts.The UK in 2026 with a new prime minister weighing up how and what price public utilities can be nationalised? No, this was Clement Attlee’s government in 1945, committed to taking over the commanding heights of the economy at a time when the country was on its uppers. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Am I losing this battle? Yes’: Martin Lewis on the online scams that steal his identity – and others’ life savings
Trusted by millions, the finance expert has seen his name and face used to mis-sell a string of fake investments. And yet, he says, it would be ‘very simple’ for the government to stop themThis month, an email from a consumer landed in Martin Lewis’s inbox. It was from an elderly woman with a disability who had been scammed when she invested in a scheme purportedly endorsed by Lewis – and lost her life savings. “THEY ARE BASTARDS!” Lewis wrote at the top of his social media post about it. Even though the personal finance expert is a veteran campaigner against fraud, he says he had “tears running down my face”. He still sounds upset. “I felt a mixture of frustration, anger and sadness.” Not only for the plight of the woman, but for the “constant, ongoing deluge of shit from the scammers”.Lewis never advertises anything. To hammer home the point, his social media profile picture has the words “I don’t do ads” tattooed on his forehead. But still, people fall victim to deepfake videos and frauds that appear to show him offering investments. The scale of harm is great enough that MoneySavingExpert (MSE), the company Lewis founded in 2003 and sold in 2012 for up to £87m – he is now its executive chair – has someone full-time handling these cases. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Will Andy Burnham’s economic vision make us all better off? | Politics Weekly
Andy Burnham has made his first major speech since returning to Westminster. He announced proposals for a No 10 in the North as part of plans to devolve power and spread resources across the country. He said he wanted to regenerate towns, prioritising places that had been left behind.It sounds a lot like the “levelling up” of the Boris Johnson years, so can Burnham really make a change? Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Good for business – or profit at any cost? The controversial side of private equity – a visual explainer
While it can transform firms for better or worse, the use of private equity in essential services is attracting scrutiny. Here we examine some of its more contentious elements in the UK veterinary sectorPrivate equity could be the two most controversial words in business. For its supporters, it can bring investment, expertise and efficiency to a company. For critics, it is a one way ticket to profiteering, cutting costs and losing staff.The arguments over private equity are particularly fierce when it is used in the public sector, particularly the NHS. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘British food will disappear’: trade deal after Brexit is hitting UK farmers hard
Home-grown food may become a niche product for wealthy in our supermarkets as British farmers’ incomes plummetFor Liz Webster, who farms 647 hectares (1600 acres) in Wiltshire, south west England, the latest impact of Brexit has been particularly brutal. About £400 per animal has been wiped off the price she can get for her beef cattle, a hefty blow at a time when all the inputs – feed, energy, fertiliser – are going through the roof.The fall in price, on livestock that typically fetch £2,000 to £3,000 per animal, is the result of a flood of cheaper meat arriving from Australia, the result of one of the new trade deals the government has signed since the UK left the European Union. Prices for beef in the supermarkets have remained broadly the same, but farmers have seen their income plummet. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
UK minister working up plans for state-owned housing developer
Exclusive: Steve Reed is looking at government run scheme that could borrow at lower rates than private developersThe housing secretary has been working up plans for a state-owned housing developer, according to details leaked to the Guardian, as the government looks for ways to stimulate stubbornly low rates of housebuilding.Steve Reed has been looking at proposals to set up a new state-owned developer which could borrow at lower rates than private developers and housing associations, according to plans leaked to the Guardian. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The king, his millions, and the first public royal tax bill – The Latest
King Charles has become the first monarch in modern times to reveal how much tax he pays on his private income: £24.6m over the last two years.The move comes after years of calls for the monarch to be more open with the public about the royal finances. Some are heralding this as a new era of transparency – but just how open has the revelation been?Lucy Hough speaks to our European financial affairs editor, Juliette Garside Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Fork in the road’: CEO of Amazon-backed Rivian on why carmakers need to invest in EVs
RJ Scaringe says firms focused on selling fossil fuel engines risk being ‘woefully behind’ on technology by end of decadeCarmakers that focus on selling fossil fuel engines are at risk of being “woefully behind” on technology by the end of the decade, according to the boss of Rivian, an Amazon-backed US electric carmaker.RJ Scaringe, Rivian’s founder and chief executive, said the car industry has reached a “fork in the road” in the choice between short-term profits and the heavy investments, particularly in software, that will be required to survive. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Brexit: An Oral History – podcast
This week marked 10 years since the UK chose to leave the EU. In a series of interviews with key players from both sides, Kiran Stacey looks back on the Brexit vote that changed the country foreverRead the Guardian’s full article on Brexit here Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
The legal fight to get equal pay for Germany's disabled workers
A test case is seeking the minimum wage for 300,000 disabled people who currently get paid less.
bbc.co.uk
Do you know your 'sweat score'? The rise of hydration tech
Hydration tracking gadgets are flooding the market but is it too much information?
bbc.co.uk
Is Germany looking again at coal-powered electricity?
It had planned to abandon the fuel, but the higher cost of natural gas may make it think again.
bbc.co.uk
The artificial ice pyramids saving India's mountain villages
Himalayan villages are creating artificial glaciers to guarantee water for their crops in the spring.
bbc.co.uk
'We had to get out of the way': The backlash over delivery robots
As the delivery vehicles increasing take to US streets, bans and protest groups are springing up.
bbc.co.uk
What is Helium-3 and could we get it from the moon?
Helium-3 is expensive and demand is forecast to soar, so some are planning to mine it on the moon.
bbc.co.uk
Why I sold my business to my staff
As more US company owners reach retirement age many are selling up to their employees.
bbc.co.uk
India's 'blue gold' starts a new drinks industry
Agave plants grow wild in India and new distillers are using them to create a spirits industry.
bbc.co.uk
The furious dispute over what caused Air India flight 171 to crash
The final conclusions of the investigation have yet to be published, although more could become apparent in the coming days.
bbc.co.uk
New candy stores are popping up across NYC. Why?
While US consumer confidence is at an historic low the Big Apple's sweet shops are expanding.
bbc.co.uk
Could humanoid robots be heading for the battlefield?
Armed forces are experimenting with humanoid robots, but battlefield deployment is some way off.
bbc.co.uk
How the High Street became a window on our political instability
High Streets have declined in recent years. What does this tell us about the UK?
bbc.co.uk
The £5 coffee that tells a story of global economic turmoil
Coffees at some city centre outlets now cost £5. It's a story of tariffs, the climate, Gen Z cultural tastes, and savvy coffee farmers playing the market, writes Faisal Islam
bbc.co.uk
The threat to summer holidays looming from jet fuel shortages
What impact might shortages have on our summer holidays - and what could be done about it?
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